CNL Exam 1-50 Questions with
Correct Answers
*A CNL rounds with Dr. Camper on a Spanish-speaking patient. The CNL asks the
physician to call an interpreter, but the MD states that it is not necessary because the
patient's daughter speaks English. However, the CNL insists and ensures an interpreter
is present. What CNL role was fulfilled?*
A. Educator
B. Team manager
C. Clinician
D. Client advocate - Answer- D. Client advocate
Client advocacy is a hallmark of the CNL's role. As a client advocate, the CNL assumes
accountability for the delivery of high-quality care, including the evaluation of care
outcomes and provision of leadership in improving care.
*During the policy formulation phase, all of the following are correct except:*
A. Possible solutions are offered.
B. Political circumstances are considered.
C. A problem is identified.
D. Policy decisions are adjusted to accommodate changing circumstances or needs. -
Answer- D. Policy decisions are adjusted to accommodate changing circumstances or
needs.
Policy formulation is the development of effective and acceptable courses of
action in order to address what has been placed on the policy agenda. This should
include the following
characteristics: (a) The problem is identified, (b) possible solutions are offered, (c)
political
circumstances are considered, and (d) policy makers, stakeholders, and legislative staff
are involved.
*The unit implemented bedside reporting 6 months ago, but the change has not been
sustained. As a CNL, you begin to participate in bedside reporting and provide
constructive, immediate feedback to the nurses for improvement. What best describes
this situation?*
A. Mentoring
,B. Transformational leadership
C. Coaching
D. Precepting - Answer- C. Coaching
The CNL coaches by evaluating team members and providing constructive
feedback. Mentoring is a long-term relationship between two individuals focused on
clinical
advancement.
*Jane, a CNL, successfully implemented an evidence-based practice (EBP) project
utilizing music therapy to help with pain control in sickle cell patients on a medical-
surgical unit. Jane was asked by the CNO to implement the project within the medical
division. What system will Jane be working in?*
A. Mesosystem
B. Macrosystem
C. Microsystem
D. Unit system - Answer- A. Mesosystem
The mesosystem encompasses multiple microsystems, such as a medical division
within a hospital.
*Judy has a family history of type 2 diabetes. After education, Judy knows she can help
to prevent diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, healthy eating habits, and daily
physical activity. Judy is exhibiting what type of prevention strategies?*
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention - Answer- A. Primary prevention
The purpose of primary prevention is to prevent the onset of chronic illness,
focusing on healthy lifestyle habits and behaviors.
*You are a CNL on a surgical unit. Your unit has just hired several new graduate
nurses. As the CNL, what is your role in relationship to these new team members?*
A. Provider of all clinical education
B. Evaluator for performance reviews
C. Coach and mentor
D. Individual with a hands-off approach to allow new nurses to develop skills
independently - Answer- C. Coach and mentor
The role of the CNL is to mentor and support all nurses on the unit, especially new
nurses. Although the CNL may act as an educator, he or she does not guide the
education and training of nurses on the unit. The CNL is not a member of management
, and does not complete employee performance reviews. While the CNL may take a
hands-off approach, he or she should still offer support and mentorship to his or her
peers.
*You are the CNL on a surgical unit. You have noticed that readmission rates for your
orthopedic patients have increased steadily over the last several months. Upon
investigation, you find that patients are reporting that they do not believe they are
receiving adequate education on postoperative wound management. As the CNL, you
recognize that one way you can act to promote the health of your patients is:*
A. Provide direct, culturally appropriate education to all patients on your unit
B. Arrange post-op visits at the outpatient surgical clinic for all patients upon discharge
C. Educate the nursing staff regarding how they can evaluate patient health literacy,
provide education at an appropriate level for each patient, and evaluate patient
understanding of education provided
D. Discuss with pre-op staff beginning patient education much earlier in this hospital
process - Answer- C. Educate the nursing staff regarding how they can evaluate patient
health literacy, provide education at an appropriate level for each patient, and evaluate
patient understanding of educationprovided
Although the CNL may do direct patient teaching, it may not be possible to
coordinate the discharge education for all patients on the unit; this would depend upon
the patient's nurse.
Post-op visits are important follow-ups for patients, but do not need to be scheduled by
the CNL.
Valuable teaching may occur preoperatively; however, demonstration of wound care
and dressings cannot
occur until after the surgery. CNLs should educate nurses on how to best provide
education to their
patients, and ensure that nurses understand how to evaluate health literacy.
*A new graduate nurse approaches you and states she needs help removing a PICC.
Which of the following is the best response when acting as a horizontal leader?*
a. remove the PICC yourself
b. tell her to find the policy and then remove the PICC
c. help jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach her while she removed the
PICC and provide feedback.
d. help jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of experience for
assistance. - Answer- c. help jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach her
while she removed the PICC and provide feedback
The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader by helping the new
graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and coaching, rather than doing the
task for the nurse.
Correct Answers
*A CNL rounds with Dr. Camper on a Spanish-speaking patient. The CNL asks the
physician to call an interpreter, but the MD states that it is not necessary because the
patient's daughter speaks English. However, the CNL insists and ensures an interpreter
is present. What CNL role was fulfilled?*
A. Educator
B. Team manager
C. Clinician
D. Client advocate - Answer- D. Client advocate
Client advocacy is a hallmark of the CNL's role. As a client advocate, the CNL assumes
accountability for the delivery of high-quality care, including the evaluation of care
outcomes and provision of leadership in improving care.
*During the policy formulation phase, all of the following are correct except:*
A. Possible solutions are offered.
B. Political circumstances are considered.
C. A problem is identified.
D. Policy decisions are adjusted to accommodate changing circumstances or needs. -
Answer- D. Policy decisions are adjusted to accommodate changing circumstances or
needs.
Policy formulation is the development of effective and acceptable courses of
action in order to address what has been placed on the policy agenda. This should
include the following
characteristics: (a) The problem is identified, (b) possible solutions are offered, (c)
political
circumstances are considered, and (d) policy makers, stakeholders, and legislative staff
are involved.
*The unit implemented bedside reporting 6 months ago, but the change has not been
sustained. As a CNL, you begin to participate in bedside reporting and provide
constructive, immediate feedback to the nurses for improvement. What best describes
this situation?*
A. Mentoring
,B. Transformational leadership
C. Coaching
D. Precepting - Answer- C. Coaching
The CNL coaches by evaluating team members and providing constructive
feedback. Mentoring is a long-term relationship between two individuals focused on
clinical
advancement.
*Jane, a CNL, successfully implemented an evidence-based practice (EBP) project
utilizing music therapy to help with pain control in sickle cell patients on a medical-
surgical unit. Jane was asked by the CNO to implement the project within the medical
division. What system will Jane be working in?*
A. Mesosystem
B. Macrosystem
C. Microsystem
D. Unit system - Answer- A. Mesosystem
The mesosystem encompasses multiple microsystems, such as a medical division
within a hospital.
*Judy has a family history of type 2 diabetes. After education, Judy knows she can help
to prevent diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, healthy eating habits, and daily
physical activity. Judy is exhibiting what type of prevention strategies?*
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention - Answer- A. Primary prevention
The purpose of primary prevention is to prevent the onset of chronic illness,
focusing on healthy lifestyle habits and behaviors.
*You are a CNL on a surgical unit. Your unit has just hired several new graduate
nurses. As the CNL, what is your role in relationship to these new team members?*
A. Provider of all clinical education
B. Evaluator for performance reviews
C. Coach and mentor
D. Individual with a hands-off approach to allow new nurses to develop skills
independently - Answer- C. Coach and mentor
The role of the CNL is to mentor and support all nurses on the unit, especially new
nurses. Although the CNL may act as an educator, he or she does not guide the
education and training of nurses on the unit. The CNL is not a member of management
, and does not complete employee performance reviews. While the CNL may take a
hands-off approach, he or she should still offer support and mentorship to his or her
peers.
*You are the CNL on a surgical unit. You have noticed that readmission rates for your
orthopedic patients have increased steadily over the last several months. Upon
investigation, you find that patients are reporting that they do not believe they are
receiving adequate education on postoperative wound management. As the CNL, you
recognize that one way you can act to promote the health of your patients is:*
A. Provide direct, culturally appropriate education to all patients on your unit
B. Arrange post-op visits at the outpatient surgical clinic for all patients upon discharge
C. Educate the nursing staff regarding how they can evaluate patient health literacy,
provide education at an appropriate level for each patient, and evaluate patient
understanding of education provided
D. Discuss with pre-op staff beginning patient education much earlier in this hospital
process - Answer- C. Educate the nursing staff regarding how they can evaluate patient
health literacy, provide education at an appropriate level for each patient, and evaluate
patient understanding of educationprovided
Although the CNL may do direct patient teaching, it may not be possible to
coordinate the discharge education for all patients on the unit; this would depend upon
the patient's nurse.
Post-op visits are important follow-ups for patients, but do not need to be scheduled by
the CNL.
Valuable teaching may occur preoperatively; however, demonstration of wound care
and dressings cannot
occur until after the surgery. CNLs should educate nurses on how to best provide
education to their
patients, and ensure that nurses understand how to evaluate health literacy.
*A new graduate nurse approaches you and states she needs help removing a PICC.
Which of the following is the best response when acting as a horizontal leader?*
a. remove the PICC yourself
b. tell her to find the policy and then remove the PICC
c. help jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach her while she removed the
PICC and provide feedback.
d. help jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of experience for
assistance. - Answer- c. help jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach her
while she removed the PICC and provide feedback
The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader by helping the new
graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and coaching, rather than doing the
task for the nurse.
